Using a Softbox - studio lighting beginners' guide

Softboxes are available in a range of sizes from around 40cms square up to the amazing Elinchrom Octa which is almost two metres across! The most useful sizes for portrait wor are the !0cm or "00cm square# although products li e the $ortalite %&x%&cm are great value for mone' and wor ver' well( )emember# the bigger the light the softer it is( To get the softest light from 'our softbox * get close! +f used ,ust out of view of the camera# it will give 'ou a lovel'# soft# diffused light( The bigger it is the more -wrap*around. it will be * an Elinchrom )otalux "00x"00cm was used in these examples(

Softboxes give a lovely soft light. /gain# b' adding a reflector panel we can fill the shadows on the opposite side( +f + am using a matt light source li e a softbox# + normall' use a matt white reflector to match(

With a white reflector as a fill

/s 'ou can see from the diagram# this is the same set*up but with the addition of a bac ground light which -lifts. the sub,ect from the bac ground(

A splash of light on the background really lifts the picture!

What is a Portable Reflector?

/ portable reflector is simpl' an item that reflects light onto a ob,ect# but is compact enough to ta e an'where( The' are ver' useful in photograph' because 'ou can easil' give 'ourself more light to experiment with on a sub,ect( 0ifferent coloured reflectors assist with changing the mood of an image( /n example of a use would be when shooting portraits outside( 1ou ma' often see hard shadows across the face 2often under the chin3# but with the reflector 'ou can reflect light onto these areas and instantl' improve an image(

Different Colours and Styles

Gold 4 5reates a warm feel to the image# best when shooting animals and people( Silver 4 6ust reflects the natural sunlight onto a sub,ect( The' do increase the specular highlights of 'our sub,ect and will give the final image a higher contrast( White 4 /gain it simpl' reflects the natural light onto the sub,ect# it is softer than silver and less li el' to blind a model! Translucent Fabric 4 0iffuses light and therefore it is perfect for outdoor portraits( Black 4 Slightl' saps colour from the image but produces a natural tone( Blue - The' are uncommon but the' create pleasant cool tones( 1ou could tr' to bu' a -& in " reflector. which contains all the different t'pes for an' situation 'ou find 'ourself in( These don7t cost much more# and save bu'ing a number of seperate ones(

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How to Use a Portable Reflector

General Photograph !

Get as close to the subject/person as you can without being in the shot. Its often a good idea to get a friend or co-worker to help hold the reflector. If you have no friends free to help, you can attach them onto a tripod. Aim for an even glow across the subject without any shadows. ick the right reflector for the situation, think about the available light.

"utdoor Photograph !

osition the subject facing away from the sun, then reflect the sunlight coming from behind. !hen shooting people, focus on the shadows under the eyes and chin.

#ndoor Photograph !

"se with an e#ternal flash or lighting gear. $ounce back light to illuminate the whole of an object. %old at a &' degree angle when shooting people.